Hop On Mendham’s ‘Holly Trail,’ For Free Fun, Dec. 4

MENDHAM, NJ — The Holly Trail is an annual tradition in Mendham Borough that finishes with a tree lighting at the Gazebo, coming up again on Saturday, Dec. 4.

From scavenger hunts, to visits with Santa, plus the “Where’s Santa” contest, to story time, there’s plenty of free festive fun for families and neighbors to enjoy the day together.

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Each location with a candy cane out front within Mendham Borough has its own special lineup of holiday happenings that day.

Among the fun:

Take part in the “Where’s Santa” contest to win $100 in “Mendham Money.” Find Santa at businesses in Mendham Borough and have the locations initial the contest form, with forms available at Mendham Jewelers on 88 Main Street and the others participating. Forms should be dropped off again to Mendham Jewelers after they’ve been all initialed. Stops to look for Santa during this year's Where's Santa contest are: Lakeland Bank, Mendham Jewelers, Peggnet Computers, Mendham Garden Center, Wells Fargo Bank, UPS Store, Peapack-Gladstone Bank, Provident Bank, Phoenix House, Orange Theory Gym, Weichert Realty, Mendham Audi, Mendham Bagel and Sapori d’Italia.

What are some of the other fun happenings during Dec. 4th’s Holly Trail?

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Giving Tree at Shopping Center. For a $10 donation, get a box of silver jewelry, with donations given to the food pantry.

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - There’s a scavenger hunt happening at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church at 9 East Main Street, with games and cookies also part of the event.

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Story book reading at Weichert Realty with the "Snow Princess," plus refreshments, 21 West Main Street

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Stop for free photos and cookies with Santa at the Phoenix House on 2 West Main Street

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Hot coffee and cocoa, plus cookies, with the thrift store open for shopping, including decorations at Mendham United Methodist Church, 10 East Main Street.

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Hot cider and cookies at Mendham Garden Center, 11 West Main Street

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Hot cocoa and cookies at the Black Horse Tavern & Pub, 1 West Main Street.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Giving Tree at Mendham Jewelers

3:45 p.m. - Grab some refreshments before the tree lighting at Borough Park

4:30 p.m. - Tree lighting and Holly Trail drawing with Santa arriving by fire truck to the Gazebo in Borough Park, on 19 Mountain Avenue.

Editor's Note: This article was updated, Wed., Dec. 1 with activities added to the schedule initially provided to Patch.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.